Important Terms for a Bill of Sale
- Seller: Bills of sale should include the primary seller’s contact information, as well as details on any additional sellers.
- Buyer: The bill of sale should include the primary buyer’s name and address, along with information on any additional buyers.
- Sales tax: If the sold item is subject to sales tax, the bill of sale should explain how much sales tax should be paid and whether or not sales tax is included in the purchase price.
- Property: The asset that’s being transferred is the “property.” The bill of sale should list the date of transfer and a description of the property.
- Property location: This is the whereabouts of the asset, such as a county or state — an important detail, particularly if the property is far away.
- Witness information: Some bills of sale must be witnessed to be legally binding. The witness can be a notary or a third party agreed upon by the buyer and seller.
- As-is: If a bill of sale lists the item as being sold “as-is,” then the buyer agrees to purchase the item in its current state with no holds on the seller.
- Gift: For large or expensive presents, a gift bill of sale can help both the recipient and the giver file taxes during the next year.
- Certification/Signature: All parties involved must sign a bill of sale for it to be legally binding. Physical signatures are always valid. Digital signatures are valid if they are processed through a certified digital signature provider, such as PandaDoc.
1. Wyoming Bill of Sale Requirements
A bill of sale is not always a legal requirement, but using one is always a good idea when transferring ownership of high-value items.
In Wyoming, a bill of sale is required if you’re selling or purchasing a boat or a motor vehicle. Like other counties across the state, Teton County provides a bill of sale template you can use for transactions involving motor vehicles, motor homes, and other personal property. However, you can also create your own.
If you decide to draft your own bill of sale, be aware that there are several requirements the document needs to satisfy in the state of Wyoming.
Why Use a Bill of Sale?
Beyond being a legal requirement for registered or regulated items, a bill of sale offers several benefits. Sellers are protected from liability, while buyers receive useful proof of ownership. Both parties can present a valid bill of sale to avoid legal disputes after the transaction.
Additional Considerations
Language Requirements
You can write a bill of sale in any language. However, the government of Wyoming only offers bill of sale forms in English. Should you need to do so, you can work with a state-certified or registered interpreter to get your bill of sale translated.
The Wyoming Judicial Branch provides a list of state-certified and registered translators in this online directory.
Number of Copies
Having a bill of sale to give the county clerk is important if you’re buying a boat or motor vehicle. Transactions like this should involve completing the bill of sale in triplicate, so the buyer and the seller can also keep one copy each.
For all other transactions, it’s enough to have two copies: one for the buyer and one for the seller.
Junk Vehicles
Any car titled in Wyoming that is declared “totaled” must have a salvage title before it can be repaired. After it has been repaired, the title will permanently carry a “brand” that shows it is rebuilt from salvage.
The seller must inform the buyer of the vehicle’s history through a Branded Title Disclosure Statement (WYDOT Form MV-602). The Wyoming Department of Transportation requires this to protect buyers from unknowingly buying a vehicle that’s uninsurable or dangerous to drive.
After Purchasing a Vehicle
You need more than a bill of sale to transfer ownership of a car in Wyoming. Whether you’re selling or buying, you’ll need to provide several other documents to make the transaction official.
If You’re the Seller
In Wyoming, anyone selling a car must fill out the back of the title with the buyer’s information and an accurate odometer reading, then give the title to the buyer along with the bill of sale.
If the title is lost or destroyed, the seller can fill out a Wyoming Affidavit of Vehicle Ownership. The seller should also fill out a lien release if any liens have been placed on the vehicle.
If You’re the Buyer
Buyers have 45 days to title and register new vehicles in Wyoming before facing late fees. To complete the registration process, buyers must provide:
- Vehicle title
- Owner’s identification and proof of residence
- Application for Certificate of Title and VIN/HIN Inspection Form
- Proof of insurance
- Bill of sale
- Proof of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection
- Lienholder information, if applicable
- Financing statements, if applicable
- Registration and titling fees
The buyer must also pay sales tax based on the purchase price of the vehicle.
2. Wyoming Car (Vehicle) Bill of Sale
In Wyoming, a vehicle ownership transfer must include a bill of sale. Laramie County provides a summary of your responsibilities during transactions like this, whether you’re the seller or the buyer.
A Wyoming motor vehicle bill of sale must have the following information:
- Buyer and seller’s names and addresses
- Date of sale
- Make
- Model
- Year of production
- Title number
- Purchase price
- VIN
3. Wyoming Boat Bill of Sale
Any boat in Wyoming that is powered by a motor must have a title, and having a bill of sale is one of the requirements for a boat to be eligible for titling. Converse County provides a bill of sale form that’s valid throughout the state, but you can also create one.
Should you choose to draft your own bill of sale, make sure it includes:
- Seller’s name and addresses
- Date of sale
- Make
- Model
- Year of production
- Title number
- Sale price
- Hull Identification Number (Hull ID or HIN)
4. Wyoming Firearm Bill of Sale
Firearms are not required to be registered in Wyoming. However, a bill of sale offers important legal protection for both the buyer and the seller.
For example, it is illegal to sell a gun to someone who is barred by law from owning one. A bill of sale modeled after the federal Firearms Transaction Record (ATF Form 4473) can help protect all parties because it provides a record of ownership and includes questions confirming whether or not the buyer can legally purchase the weapon.
5. Wyoming Horse or Livestock Bill of Sale
Livestock bills of sale in Wyoming should include the following information:
- Number of animals
- Breed
- Age
- Gender
- Brands, marks, or descriptions
- Registration number, if applicable
- Name, if applicable
- Purchase price
Animals that are intended for consumption should undergo more rigorous inspection protocols during the sale process. Horses and similar animals don’t require quite as much documentation.
6. Wyoming General Bill of Sale
A general bill of sale helps prove the ownership transfer of any non-regulated item. The information required by a document like this is often the bare minimum to record the transaction, such as:
- Purchase price
- Transaction date
- Buyer and seller’s contact information
- Signatures
